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Updated at 2:31 PM PDT on Thursday, Feb 6, 2014

The United States has chosen six-time Olympian Todd Lodwick to be the team's flagbearer at Friday's opening ceremony for the Sochi Games.

Team USA announced the choice on Wednesday. Lodwick is competing in the Nordic combined in Sochi. He is the first American to compete in six Winter Games. Lodwick was part of the team that won silver in Vancouver in 2010.

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The 36-year-old Lodwick's longevity made him the choice despite competing in a relatively low-profile event. The Nordic combined features athletes who compete in both the ski jump and cross-country skiing.

Lodwick was chosen over more famous American athletes, including snowboarder Shaun White and men's hockey captain Zach Parise.